Post by Fish Report on Mar 27, 2023 20:59:50 GMT -5
By Gary Yeatts
Spring training comes to an end as the Reds post 15-14 record. Yes, it is true that spring training stats mean very little in the big scheme of things. It is also true that spring training tends to breed a lot of optimism for the season. Let's take a look at some of the issues that have been true of my 14th Spring Training for the Reds. The pitch clock is working and has shortened game times. Spring training games lasted an average of 2 hours and 36 minutes. That is good news for MLB. The bigger bases have encouraged more aggressive base running. The Reds stole only 58 bases last year. They will easily surpass that in 2023. The Reds have improved their team speed. They have 7-8 guys who can steal a base or take an extra base with their legs. This team speed will be a help both offensively and defensively. Joey Votto has made a determined effort to be ready for opening day, but it does appear that he will make it. Votto has usually been a slow starter, so that may not be a big factor for March/April. In fact, by the end of April, the Reds should get a boost from Votto, Senzel, Sims and Santillian joining the 26 man roster. My overall assessment is that this team has improved itself from last year. The 3-22 start to last season will be an aberration. The Reds will approach a 75 win-87 loss season and that will show some improvement for the Reds. Thanks to all of you who take the time to read my musings about the Reds. To paraphrase the legendary Joe Nuxhall, "This is the old man rounding third and heading for home." Enjoy opening day in Cincinnati Go Reds!
YIB- G⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾
Gary Yeatts is a retired history teacher and baseball coach, originally from Fairfield Ohio. He lives in Arizona and works at Reds Spring training. He sends out these summaries to a fairly long mailing list and welcomes their distribution.
Spring training comes to an end as the Reds post 15-14 record. Yes, it is true that spring training stats mean very little in the big scheme of things. It is also true that spring training tends to breed a lot of optimism for the season. Let's take a look at some of the issues that have been true of my 14th Spring Training for the Reds. The pitch clock is working and has shortened game times. Spring training games lasted an average of 2 hours and 36 minutes. That is good news for MLB. The bigger bases have encouraged more aggressive base running. The Reds stole only 58 bases last year. They will easily surpass that in 2023. The Reds have improved their team speed. They have 7-8 guys who can steal a base or take an extra base with their legs. This team speed will be a help both offensively and defensively. Joey Votto has made a determined effort to be ready for opening day, but it does appear that he will make it. Votto has usually been a slow starter, so that may not be a big factor for March/April. In fact, by the end of April, the Reds should get a boost from Votto, Senzel, Sims and Santillian joining the 26 man roster. My overall assessment is that this team has improved itself from last year. The 3-22 start to last season will be an aberration. The Reds will approach a 75 win-87 loss season and that will show some improvement for the Reds. Thanks to all of you who take the time to read my musings about the Reds. To paraphrase the legendary Joe Nuxhall, "This is the old man rounding third and heading for home." Enjoy opening day in Cincinnati Go Reds!
YIB- G⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾
Gary Yeatts is a retired history teacher and baseball coach, originally from Fairfield Ohio. He lives in Arizona and works at Reds Spring training. He sends out these summaries to a fairly long mailing list and welcomes their distribution.